Belt shifter mechanism

ABSTRACT

A floor care apparatus includes a body having a nozzle assembly and a handle assembly. Both a suction generator and dirt collection vessel are carried on the body. The suction generator includes a drive motor and a drive shaft. A rotary agitator assembly is carried on the nozzle assembly. The rotary agitator assembly includes a rotary agitator body and a pulley assembly having a drive pulley and an idler pulley. A belt connects the drive shaft with the pulley assembly. A belt shifter includes a biasing spring. The belt shifter is selectively displaceable between a first or agitator drive position and a second or agitator drive interrupt position.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/429,940 filed on 5 Jan. 2011, the full disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD AND INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY OF THE INVENTION

This document relates generally to the floor care equipment field and, more particularly, to a new and improved belt shifter mechanism for interrupting drive to the rotary agitator for bare floor cleaning applications.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Upright vacuum cleaners equipped with a single motor for driving the suction fan and the rotary agitator are well known in the art. It is also generally known to equip such upright vacuum cleaners with a belt shifter mechanism in order to allow one to selectively interrupt drive to the rotary agitator when desired. Such agitator drive interruption may be appropriate when the handle of the upright vacuum cleaner is displaced or moved into the upright storage position. Further, such interruption to the agitator drive is useful during bare floor cleaning applications as the turbulence produced by the rotary agitator can hinder the cleaning efficiency of the vacuum cleaner with regard to smooth, bare floor surfaces. Examples of belt shifter mechanisms may be found in, for example, issued U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,044,520 to Yamamoto, 6,067,689 to Roney et al, 6,915,544 to Roney et al, 7,120,964 to Roney and 7,318,250 to Roney as well as in published U.S. Patent Application 2011/0078874 to Dever.

The present invention relates to a new and improved belt shifter mechanism incorporating a tension spring that operates over-center to positively maintain the belt shifter in the rotary agitator drive position and the rotary agitator drive interrupt position as selected by the operator of the floor care appliance or apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A floor care apparatus comprises a body including a nozzle assembly and a handle assembly. A suction generator is carried on the body. The suction generator includes a drive motor and a drive shaft. In addition, a dirt collection vessel is carried on the body.

Further describing the floor care apparatus, a rotary agitator assembly is carried on the nozzle assembly. The rotary agitator assembly includes a rotary agitator body and a pulley assembly having a drive pulley and an idler pulley. A belt connects the drive shaft of the suction generator drive motor with the pulley assembly. A belt shifter includes a biasing spring. The belt shifter is selectively displaceable between (a) a first position wherein the drive belt connects the drive shaft to the drive pulley to drive the rotary agitator body and (b) a second position wherein the drive belt connects the drive shaft to the idler pulley to interrupt drive to the rotary agitator body. Advantageously, the biasing spring biases the belt shifter into either the first position or the second position as selected by the operator of the floor care apparatus.

More specifically describing the invention, the belt shifter includes an operator actuator, a shifter lever and a linkage connecting the operator actuator to the shifter lever. The biasing spring has a first end connected to the operator actuator and a second end connected to the shifter lever.

Still further describing the apparatus, the shifter lever includes a first point, a second point and a third point. The linkage is connected to the shifter lever at the first point, the biasing spring is connected to the shifter lever at the second point and the shifter lever pivots about the third point with respect to the housing of the nozzle assembly. The shifter lever has an over-center or centerline position wherein the biasing spring is aligned with the second and the third points.

In the following description there is shown and described a vacuum cleaner and belt shifter mechanism, simply by way of illustration of one of the modes best suited to carry out the invention. As it will be realized, the invention is capable of other different embodiments and its several details are capable of modification in various, obvious aspects all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions will be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings incorporated herein and forming a part of the specification, illustrate several aspects of the floor care apparatus and belt shifter mechanism and together with the description serve to explain certain principles of the device. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of one possible embodiment of the floor care apparatus including the novel belt shifter mechanism;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of the floor care apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the nozzle assembly of the floor care apparatus;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the belt shifter and pulley assembly;

FIG. 5 is a detailed perspective view of the assembled belt shifter mechanism;

FIG. 6 is a detailed perspective view of the belt shifter mechanism in the nozzle assembly in a first position wherein the drive belt connects the drive shaft of the suction generator drive motor to the drive pulley to drive the rotary agitator; and

FIGS. 7 and 8 are respective top plan views showing the belt shifter in the first position wherein the drive belt connects the drive shaft to the drive pulley to drive the rotary agitator and the second position wherein the drive belt connects the drive shaft to the idler pulley to interrupt drive to the rotary agitator.

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiment of the apparatus, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Reference is now made to FIGS. 1-3 illustrating a floor care apparatus in the form of an upright vacuum cleaner 10 having a body 12 including a nozzle assembly 14 and a handle assembly 16. The handle assembly 16 is pivotally connected to the nozzle assembly 14 by a yolk or hub assembly 15 that is received for relative pivotal movement around an airpath conduit 17 secured to the nozzle assembly 14. Such a connection and overall steering mechanism is described in detail in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/429,940 filed 5 Jan. 2011, the full disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

A suction generator, generally designated by reference numeral 18, is carried on the body 12 and, more particularly, in a compartment 20 on the nozzle assembly 14. The suction generator 18 includes a fan (not shown) and a drive motor 22 held within a shroud 24. The drive motor 22 includes a drive shaft 26 that extends through an end of the shroud 24.

A dirt collection vessel 30 is carried on the body 12 and more particularly is removably mounted in a cavity 32 provided on the handle assembly 16. In the illustrated embodiment, the dirt collection vessel 30 comprises a dirt cup including a cylindrical outer wall, a tangentially directed air inlet (not shown) and an axially directed air outlet (not shown) covered by a filter screen or shroud (not shown). Such a dirt cup construction is illustrated in detail in, for example, copending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/411,659 filed 9 Nov. 2010, the full disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. This configuration comprises a primary cyclone for separating dirt and debris from the air stream as it passes through the vacuum cleaner 10. The air stream then passes through a secondary cyclone assembly, which removes any remaining fine particles from the air stream. The air stream is then exhausted from the dirt collection vessel 30 and travels serially through conduit 46, flexible hose 47 and conduit 17 to the suction generator 18. It should be appreciated that other types of dirt collection vessels 30 may be provided on the vacuum cleaner 10 including simple dirt cups without cyclonic cleaning action as well as a standard state-of-the-art vacuum cleaner bag contained in a bag compartment within the body 12 of the vacuum cleaner 10.

A rotary agitator assembly, generally designated by reference numeral 50, includes a rotary agitator body 52 in the form of a cylindrical tube. A series of bristle tufts or other cleaning projections 54 extend radially outwardly from the rotary agitator body 52. During vacuum cleaner operation the rotary agitator body 52 is rotated at high speeds and the bristle tufts 54 function to brush and beat dirt and debris from an underlying carpet being cleaned by the vacuum cleaner 10. The rotary agitator assembly 50 is mounted in the nozzle assembly 14 so as to extend across the suction inlet 56. Accordingly, dirt and debris loosened by the rotating rotary agitator body 52 become entrained in the air stream being drawn into the vacuum cleaner 10 by the suction generator 18. Thus, the dirt and debris travels in the air stream through the suction inlet 56 and then serially through the conduit 58 on the nozzle assembly 14, the flexible hose 59 and conduit system 60 on the handle assembly 16 to the tangentially directed air inlet of the dirt collection vessel 30.

The rotary agitator assembly 50 also includes a pulley assembly generally designated by reference numeral 61. As best illustrated in FIG. 4, the pulley assembly 61 includes a pulley spacer 62. A drive pulley 64 rotates on a drive pulley bearing 66 along one side of the pulley spacer 62 while an idler pulley 68 rotates on a pair of idler pulley bearings 70 on an opposite of the pulley spacer. As should be appreciated, the drive pulley 64 includes a projecting hub 72 that is received in and keyed to the rotary agitator body 52 so that the rotary agitator body rotates with the drive pulley.

A drive belt 74 connects the drive shaft 26 of the drive motor 22 to either the drive pulley 64 or idler pulley 68 of the pulley assembly 61 (see FIGS. 6-8). A belt shifter mechanism, generally designated by reference numeral 76, functions to selectively interrupt the rotary agitator drive in a manner that will be described in greater detail below.

The belt shifter mechanism 76 includes an operator actuator 78, a shifter lever 80, a linkage 82 connecting the operator actuator to the shifter lever, and a biasing spring 84. In the illustrated embodiment, the operator actuator 78 takes the form of a foot pedal and the biasing spring 84 comprises a tension spring.

The biasing spring 86 has a first end 86 connected to a lug 88 of the actuator 78 by means of a retainer 90 and cooperating screw 92. The shifter lever 80 includes a first point 94, a second point 96 and a third point 98. The linkage 82 has a first end 100 connected to the operator actuator 78 and a second end 102 connected to the shifter lever 80 at the first point 94. As noted above, the biasing spring 86 has a first end 86 connected to the operator actuator 78. The second end 104 of the biasing spring 86 is connected to the shifter lever 80 at the second point 96. A pivot pin, washer screw or the like 106 extends through the third point 98 and connects the shifter lever 80 to a boss 97 on the nozzle assembly 14 while allowing for free pivotal movement of the shifter lever relative thereto.

As should be appreciated, the shifter lever 80 includes a projecting arm 108 and cooperating finger 110 that effectively form a u-shaped channel 112 through which the drive belt 74 extends. When the belt shifter mechanism 76 is in the first position the finger 110 engages the edge of the drive belt 74 shifting the drive belt sideways along the drive shaft 26 until it is fully engaged on the drive pulley 64 (see FIGS. 6 and 7). As noted above, the drive pulley 64 is connected or keyed to the agitator body 52 by means of the hub 72. Thus, the drive belt 74 connects the drive shaft 26 of the drive motor 22 to the rotary agitator body 52 in the first position thereby driving the rotary agitator for cleaning dirt and debris from the nap of an underlying carpet. In the second position, the projecting arm 108 engages the side of the drive belt 74 shifting the belt sideways along the drive shaft 26 until the opposite end of the belt 74 is fully received and engaged upon the idler pulley 68 thereby interrupting drive to the rotary agitator body 52 for purposes of, for example, bare floor cleaning (see FIG. 8).

As should be appreciated from reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, the shifter lever 80 has an over-center or centerline position wherein the biasing spring 84 is aligned with both the second point 96 and third point 98. In this over-center or centerline position C, the biasing spring 84 is in its maximum extended position at maximum operating tension.

In contrast, when the operator manipulates the actuator 78 and the linkage 82 forces the shifter lever 80 to pivot into the first position (see FIG. 7), the biasing spring 84 is pointed or is on a first side of the centerline position where the biasing spring 84 is not extended as far as it is in the centerline position (note line L, representing biasing spring 84 below centerline position C). Thus, the biasing spring 84 provides a positive force for maintaining the belt shifter mechanism 76 in the first or agitator drive position.

Similarly, when the actuator 78 is manipulated by the operator to move the belt shifter mechanism 76 into the second position (see FIG. 8), the linkage 82 forces the shifter lever 80 to pivot about the pivot 106 past the centerline position. In the second position, the biasing spring 86 is pointing toward or is on a second side of the centerline or over-center position (note line L₂, representing biasing spring 84 above centerline position C). Further, the spring 84 is less extended than in the centerline position and, accordingly, the biasing spring effectively functions to positively maintain the belt shifter mechanism 76 in the second or agitator drive interrupt position. Thus, it should be appreciated that the biasing spring 84 effectively functions to maintain the shifter lever 80 and the belt shifter mechanism 76 in either the first or rotary agitator drive position and the second or rotary agitator drive interrupt position as selected by the operator. This helps ensure that the belt shifter mechanism 76 is maintained in the selected operating position and doesn't ever inadvertently or accidently change operating modes.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the present device has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the device to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the device and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the device in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally and equitably entitled. The drawings and preferred embodiments do not and are not intended to limit the ordinary meaning of the claims in their fair and broad interpretation in any way. 

1. A floor care apparatus, comprising: a body including a nozzle assembly and a handle assembly; a suction generator carried on said body, said suction generator including a drive motor and a drive shaft; a dirt collection vessel carried on said body; a rotary agitator assembly carried on said nozzle assembly, said rotary agitator assembly including a rotary agitator body and a pulley assembly having a drive pulley and an idler pulley; a belt connecting said drive shaft with said pulley assembly; a belt shifter including a biasing spring, said belt shifter being selectively displaceable between (a) a first position wherein said drive belt connects said drive shaft to said drive pulley to drive said rotary agitator body and (b) a second position wherein said drive belt connects said drive shaft to said idler pulley to interrupt drive to said rotary agitator body, said biasing spring biasing said belt shifter into either said first position or said second position as selected by an operator of said floor care apparatus.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said belt shifter further includes an operator actuator, a shifter lever and a linkage connecting said operator actuator to said shifter lever.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said biasing spring has a first end connected to said operator actuator and a second end connected to said shifter lever.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said shifter lever includes a first point, a second point and a third point, said linkage being connected to said shifter lever at said first point and said biasing spring being connected to said shifter lever at said second point.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said shifter lever pivots about said third point.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said shifter lever has a centerline position wherein said biasing spring is aligned with said second point and said third point.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein (a) in said first position, said biasing spring is on a first side of said centerline position and (b) in a second position, said biasing spring is on a second side of said centerline position whereby said biasing spring biases said shifter lever into either of said first position or said second position as selected by said operator.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said shifter lever includes a belt engagement finger.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said operator actuator is a foot pedal.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, further including a pedal retainer securing said first end of said biasing spring to said foot pedal.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said pulley assembly further includes a pulley spacer, a drive pulley bearing and an idler pulley bearing.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said drive pulley includes a hub connected to said rotary agitator body.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said handle assembly is pivotally connected to said nozzle assembly.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said dirt collection vessel is a dirt cup.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said suction generator is mounted to said nozzle assembly. 